As we await the DGA’s announcement, an interview with Michael Mann at the Guild’s website makes for particularly nutritious reading this morning.
Michael Mann talks finding a place for camaraderie with his fellow directors
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 8:29 am · January 9th, 2012
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention
Round-up: Oscar's doc rule change favors theatrical visibility
Posted by Guy Lodge · 7:50 am · January 9th, 2012
Also: ‘The Iron Lady”s composer switch and the craftsmen of ‘War Horse’
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'Tintin,' 'Harry Potter' and 'Transformers' out front with Visual Effects Society nominations
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 12:37 am · January 9th, 2012
The Visual Effects Society has announced its list of nominees for the organization’s 10th annual ceremony, and leading the way wasn’t one of the live action blockbusters on the whittled-down slate of 10 advancing Oscar contenders. It was Steven Spielberg’s animated offering “The Adventures of Tintin,” which landed six nominations across the feature film categories.
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'Descendants,' Malick, Clooney and Dunst win with Kansas City critics
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 5:10 pm · January 8th, 2012
The Kansas City Film Critics Circle held its vote this evening and “The Descendants” was named the year’s best. I was somewhat confused that “Hugo” won an award designated for sci-fi/fantasy/horror films, though. How does that perception even happen?
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George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Michelle Williams and more turn out for Palm Springs awards gala
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 1:05 am · January 8th, 2012
I’ve never attended the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala. It’s a key stop along the Oscar trail his time of year, very competitive with the Santa Barbara Film Festival. The two duke it out for honorees, one reticent to honor talent that the other has chalked up for an award. Which is obviously silly. But it seemed time to give it a go.
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'Melancholia,' Dunst and Pitt among National Society of Film Critics winners
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:30 pm · January 7th, 2012
The National Society of Film Critics can usually be relied upon to go their own way on the precursor trail, and they did so in emphatic fashion today, naming Lars von Trier’s “Melancholia” the year’s best, and star Kirsten Dunst their Best Actress.
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Oscar Talk: Ep. 76 — Guild announcements, previewing the DGA and the success of 'Bridesmaids'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:58 am · January 6th, 2012
In this week’s podcast, Kris and Anne discuss the PGA and WGA announcements, preview the DGA nominations and chew on the success of “Bridesmaids” so far this year.
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'Drive' wins with Central Ohio critics
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 7:33 am · January 6th, 2012
After “The Tree of Life” led the way with nominations from the Central Ohio Film Critics Association, it was “Drive” that took top honors, winning Best Picture and Best Director for Nicolas Winding Refn. Refn also won the Breakthrough Film Artist award.
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Round-up: Anticipating Oscar voters' passion play
Posted by Guy Lodge · 6:59 am · January 6th, 2012
Also: Defending ‘The Artist’ and delaying ‘Wettest County’
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'Marilyn' and 'Tinker, Tailor' top embarrassing BAFTA longlists
Posted by Guy Lodge · 5:28 am · January 6th, 2012
“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” and “My Week With Marilyn” lead the BAFTA longlists with 16 mentions apiece, setting both films up for multiple nominations on January 17. But the list of omissions is egregious.
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Lonergan's 'Margaret' is so authentic it hurts
Posted by Roth Cornet · 7:54 pm · January 5th, 2012
We look at the stark realities that Kenneth Lonergan’s long awaited “Margaret” presents and recommend that you go see Anna Paquin in her most gripping role since “The Piano” at a rare screening opportunity.
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'Beginners' nominated for Cinema Eye Heterodox Award
Posted by Guy Lodge · 3:20 pm · January 5th, 2012
The Cinema Eye Honors may chiefly be a celebration of the documentary form, but their Heterodox Award has been created to recognize documentary influences in fiction filmmaking. Mike Mills’s autobiographical indie “Beginners” is one of this year’s nominees.
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Tech Support Interview: Bret McKenzie on his 'Muppety' additions to 'The Muppets'
Posted by Roth Cornet · 2:24 pm · January 5th, 2012
Bret McKenzie is not a fan of musicals. Or so he says. But his (alleged) lack of interest in musical theater is somewhat ironic given that he has made his name as one half of the folk comedy duo “Flight of the Conchords” (his other half being Jemaine Clement), and that he is (in all likelihood) about to receive one, if not two, Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song.
Filed in: HitFix · In Contention · Interviews
'Descendants' leads with Denver critics nods
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 1:57 pm · January 5th, 2012
The Denver Film Critics Society has announced its list of nominees this year, and “The Descendants” was the vote-leader. The film even scored two nominations in the Best Supporting Actress category, as Judy Greer joined Shailene Woodley for the fun.
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Predicting the 2011 DGA nominees
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:43 am · January 5th, 2012
On Monday, the most important precursor announcement of them all drops: the Directors Guild of America offers up its list of nominees for excellence in directing.
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Taking questions for 1/6 Oscar Talk
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:30 am · January 5th, 2012
Offer up your burning queries.
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Santa Barbara fest taps Bichir, Mara, McCarthy, Oswalt, Serkis and Woodley for Virtuosos Award
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 11:24 am · January 5th, 2012
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has announced, along with its film schedule, the recipients of this year’s Virtuosos Award. And they cast the widest net yet, honoring Demián Bichir, Rooney Mara, Melissa McCarthy, Patton Oswalt, Andy Serkis and Shailene Woodley.
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Internet Film Critics award 'Tree of Life,' 'Midnight in Paris,' 'Attack the Block,' 'Drive'
Posted by Kristopher Tapley · 10:35 am · January 5th, 2012
The Internet Film Critics Society has jumped into the fray with a list of winners this year. It’s a nifty list because rather than just a “Best Picture” field, things are divided into a couple genres (drama, comedy, action, horror/sci-fi). Though I don’t qualify “Drive” as “action.”
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